On the Job by Anita Bruzzese 4 Ways to Handle Your Workplace Jealousies

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese 4 Ways to Handle Your Workplace Jealousies Most of us have had feelings of jealousy or envy in our lives, but nowhere may it be more difficult to deal with than in the workplace. Of courseyoure supposed to wish Jim well on his new promotion even though you worked hard for it and you believe Jim is a slacker. And, well, sure youdliketo be friendlier to your colleague Maggie, but shes so darned organized it gives you a headache, especially when the boss is always giving her an award for it. No one likes to admit theyre jealous or envious of a co-worker. After all, didnt we leave suchpetty feelingsbehind on the playground? Or at least reserve them for the skinny woman who lives next door and can eat anything she wants? The problem is the difficult economy has made our stress and inand insecurity more pronounced, which can often exacerbate the jealousy we feel on the job. We become more emotionally sensitive, and find ourselves battling the green-eyed monster in our cubicle. Suddenly, it seems as if a co-workers off-handed comment about how your messy desk is a health threat doesnt seem like a friendly quip but adirect insult. Remarks even joking comments are taken personally and negatively. Psychologists say we often feel jealous when we sense someone has taken something away from us that we were attached to emotionally. You may have really been counting on a promotion, for example, so you may react in anger or hurt when you dont get it. Jealousy really hits when we feel something is unfair, they explain. So, you may feel jealous when a colleague gets a new project that you feel you deserved because you have more seniority, and because you had already envisioned the team (read more here)